Adaptive pneumatic seat and backrest cushions for vehicles and airplanes

ABSTRACT

An adaptive seat and backrest cushion, divided into a seat cushion and a backrest cushion of essentially the same construction. A number of webs are introduced between an upper skin and a lower skin of an airtight shell by welding or gluing. The first webs are of simple construction, the second webs are of double construction each with a cavity between the webs. The space within the shell is filled with compressed air at a pressure p 1 , the cavities can be pressurised as required with compressed air at a pressure of p 2 , where p 2 &gt;p 1 . The thickness as well as the softness of the seat or backrest cushion can thus be altered.

The present invention relates to an adaptive pneumatic seat cushion andbackrest cushion for vehicles and aeroplanes, according to theprecharacterising part of claim 1. Pneumatic seat cushions and backrestcushions are known per se. As a rule they comprise a multitude of airtubes, arranged side by side, which can be aerated and de-aerated by wayof a common valve, with the design and construction of such pneumaticseat cushions and backrest cushions being similar to that of known airmattresses. Certain adaptation options consist of having different airpressure settings in individual tubes, as a result of which the shapeand softness can be varied to a limited extent. For practicalapplication, such cushions are provided with a textile cover. However,the basic structure of the tubes remains visible and—an essential factorin a cushion—can also be felt.

It is the object of the present invention to create a seat cushion andbackrest cushion that is adaptive within a wide range; meets very highrequirements in relation to seating comfort; can achieve noticeableweight savings when compared to conventional foam cushions; and duringwhose manufacture existing seat shell constructions can easily be takeninto account.

The object is met by the essential characteristics set out in claim 1,and by further advantageous characteristics set out in the other claims.The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the encloseddrawing.

The following are shown:

FIG. 1 a perspective of a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 a longitudinal section of part of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 a, b a detail of FIG. 2 in the non-operative state and in theoperative state;

FIG. 4 a, b a variant of FIG. 3 a, b;

FIG. 5 the same detail as in FIG. 3 a, b in a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 a production step relating to the detail shown in FIG. 3 a, b;

FIG. 7 a division of webs, according to the invention;

FIG. 8 a cross section of the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 a perspective of a second embodiment;

FIG. 10 a perspective of a third embodiment; and

FIG. 11 a perspective of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a seat cushionand backrest cushion according to the invention, in this instance of asimple design, for example for a means of mass transportation. Thecushion is divided into a seat cushion 1 and a backrest cushion 2. Thesecan be individual units or joined. Any seat cover that may be used hasbeen removed. Also not shown is the actual seat structure because itforms part of the state of the art and does not form part of the subjectmatter of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a section AA of the seat cushion 1 and diagrammaticallyshows the interior structure of said seat cushion 1: it comprises ashell 3, structured into an upper skin 4 and a lower skin 5. Two typesof webs, namely single webs 6 and double webs 7 extend between the upperskin 4 and the lower skin 5. As the number of double webs 7 increases,so does the degree of adaptability, as will be further explained withreference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

The webs 6, 7, are connected to the upper skin 4 and lower skin 5 bygluing or welding. Both the shell 3 and the webs 6, 7 are made of agas-proof material, such as a plastic foil of suitable strength or aplastics-coated fabric. With a view to safety, preferablynon-combustible textiles and/or textiles with a flame-retardant finishare used.

In the section according to FIG. 2, seat and backrest cushions 1, 2 areconnected by a tape 8, preferably a textile tape 8.

In the context of the invention, the designs shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and5 apply both to cushion 1 and 2.

As shown, the single webs 6 are connected to the upper skin 4 and lowerskin 5 along a strip 9. In the double webs 7 there are two embodiments,as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4; with the view shown in FIG. 2 correspondingto that of FIG. 3. In this first embodiment, one web 7 is connected tothe shell 3 as explained in the description of the single webs 6. Thesecond web 7 is again connected to the first web 7 along two strips 9. Acavity 10 which results from this is sealed-off in an airtight mannerfrom the remaining interior of the seat cushion 1. In the two embodimentvariants, the supply of compressed air and de-aeration take place by wayof a hose which is arranged in the interior of the seat 1, wherein saidhose comprises a branch at each pair or at selected pairs of webs. Ofcourse it is also possible for each cavity 10 to have its own supply ofcompressed air. A second way of supplying air to the double webs isexplained in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 5 shows a second form of double webs 7. Along two strips 9, thedouble webs 7 are interconnected once more so that two cavities 10 areformed. Webs 7 comprising three or more cavities also are in accordancewith the invention.

In the interior of the cushion 1 the air pressure is p₁. By way of airlines, which will be described in detail below, air is supplied to thespaces between the double webs 7. If their pressure p₂ exceeds p₁, thewebs 7 become curved and their shape changes from that shown in FIG. 3a, FIG. 4 a and FIG. 5 a to that according to FIG. 3 b, FIG. 4 b andFIG. 5 b. In other words, between the webs 7 the cavities 10 are formedwhose height decreases as the overpressure Δp=p₂−p₁. In this way, theshape of the seat cushion 1 can be changed. If double webs 7 arearranged above all in the rear part of the seat cushion 1, then itsinclination can be varied. Further variation options are explained inthe context of the description of FIG. 8.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the different options of connecting the web 7 withthe shell 3. In FIG. 3 a web 7 is connected along two strips 9, eachwith upper and lower skin 4, 5. The second web 7, which is somewhatlower than the first web, is again connected to said first web 7 alongtwo strips 9.

FIG. 4 shows the second variant. In this variant, both webs 7 are eachconnected to the upper and lower skin in the same way along a strip 9.

From the point of view of manufacture, the first variant according toFIG. 3 is somewhat easier, but the second variant according to FIG. 4provides more adaptation options.

FIG. 6 shows a step in the production of double webs 7 according to thefirst variant of FIG. 3. The material for the webs 7 is cut to size,wherein the material for the first web 7 is wider by two strips 9 thanthe material of the second web 7. Thereafter, two material layers areplaced one on top of the other and are welded or glued together alongthe inner strips 9. Of the larger cutout, on each longitudinal side astrip 9 remains free, which is subsequently glued or welded togetherwith the upper skin 4 and the lower skin 5 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 6, a strip 11 is cut to each web 7. These two strips 11are also interconnected with each other on the borders, thus forming anair channel 12. A spreader element 13 can be placed in this air channel12, wherein said spreader element keeps the air channel open even if itis bent.

For the second variant according to FIG. 4, both cutouts for the webs 7are of identical design, however they are not connected along theirlongitudinal sides.

If a web which extends crosswise through the entire seat cushion is tomade so as to be only partially adaptive, i.e. made with two webs 7,then the procedure shown in FIG. 7 can be applied, in which the cutoutscomprise two strips 11 each for the air channels 12, one strip on eachside of the cutout. Across the cutouts of the webs 7, for example, two(which is the rule) welded or glued seams 14 are inserted which dividethe cutout into three zones: on the outside and adjacent to the airchannels 12, i.e. in border regions 15, the webs 7 are adaptive asdescribed so far. Between the welded or glued seams 14, a middle zone 16is created, in which zone 16 only two webs 6 are arranged side by side.Since no compressed air can get between said two webs 6, this middlezone 16 is not adaptive.

FIG. 8 shows a section BB (according to FIG. 1) of the seat cushion 1and thus a top view of a double web 7. The webs 6, 7 interconnect theupper skin 4 and the lower skin 5 essentially across the entire width ofthe seat cushion 1, with the shell 3 being free only in the borderregions 17. This is also where pressure compensation within the seatcushion 1 takes place. Preferably the air channels 12 are also arrangedin these border regions 17, wherein said air channels 12 exit the seatcushion 1 in the region of its rear end and exit the backrest cushion 2at its lower region and are then connected to a compressed air controlsystem. The compressed-air inlets for the cushions 1, 2 are alsoarranged in the above-mentioned regions.

By suitable grouping and combining double webs 7 it is possibleaccording to the invention to make each region of the seat cushion 1adaptive by using compressed air.

The above description, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7, relating to theseat cushion 1, of course equally applies to the backrest cushion 2. Inbackrest cushions 2 it is preferably, but not exclusively, thepassenger's lumbar region that is of interest concerning adaptivity. Itmust be borne in mind that, depending on the stature of passengers, theexact position of the lumbar region differs. A pneumatic control systemis tasked with combining, grouping and localising double webs 7. Thedesign of such a control system does not fall within the scope of theinvention described in this document.

FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of seat cushions 1 and backrestcushions 2, wherein the perspective corresponds to that of FIG. 1. Theembodiment shown in FIG. 9 has more complex contours when compared tothat shown in FIG. 1. These contours can be produced by the way the webs6, 7 and the shell 3 are cut, without having any influence on thetechnical contents of the structure shown in FIGS. 2 to 7. Furthermore,the adaptive effect of the double webs 7 can easily be influenced by wayof the thickness of the cushions 1, 2 and the design of the double webs7.

FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment in the shape of a seat cushion 1. Inorder to further improve the ergonomics, in the region of the buttocksthe webs 6, 7 are essentially arranged in the manner of concentricellipses. In this way, the seat cushion can be designed in the shape ofa trough 18. Naturally, ellipse-like air chambers are also createdbetween the ellipse-like webs 6, 7. These air chambers can separately besupplied with compressed air, either individually or in groups, whichmakes it possible to select the hardness of the cushion 1 in the buttockregion. If the webs 6, 7, which are arranged in a concentricellipse-like manner, are entirely or partly designed as double webs 7,additionally the form of the trough 18 is changeable and adjustable.

FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment, also in the shape of a seat cushion1. In order to obtain an ergonomic shape, several U-shaped webs 6, 7were integrated in the cushion in the region of the buttocks and thethighs. The U-shape essentially corresponds to the seat-engaging area ofa seated person. If the U-shaped webs 6, 7 are designed as double webs7, with this measure, the seat-engaging area taken up on the seatcushion 1 by a person can in a simple way be designed so as to beadaptive.

Attaching the seat cushion 1 and the backrest cushion 2 in a given seatstructure or seat shell preferably takes place by two or moreadherence-type closure strips which can be attached to the lower skin 5and to the seat structure by way of adhesion. Other ways of attachingthe cushions 1, 2, such as for example by clamps or buttons, also fallwithin the scope of this invention.

1. An adaptive pneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion for vehiclesand aeroplanes, comprising: a seat cushion and a backrest cushion whichcan be connected; the seat cushion and the backrest cushion furthercomprises: an airtight shell filled with compressed air, wherein saidshell is divided into an upper skin and a lower skin; a plurality ofwebs arranged between the upper skin and the lower skin, wherein saidplurality of webs are adapted to connect the upper skin and the lowerskin; wherein the plurality of webs include first webs which are singlewebs and second webs which are double webs so that in each case at leastone cavity is formed between at least two of the plurality of webs;wherein the at least one cavity is closed off from its surroundings inan airtight manner, except for an aperture for letting compressed air inor out; an interior of the shell can be filled with compressed air at afirst pressure level p₁; the cavities can be pressurised at a secondpressure level p₂; and wherein said second pressure level p₂ is greaterthan said first pressure level p₁.
 2. The adaptive pneumatic seatcushion and backrest cushion according claim 1, wherein all connectionsbetween the plurality of webs and the shell are produced by anapplication of adhesive; wherein the latter is divided into the upperand the lower skin; and wherein the double webs between themselves andcutouts for air channels are produced by the application of theadhesive.
 3. The adaptive pneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushionaccording to claim 1, wherein all connections between the plurality ofwebs and the shell are produced by way of welding; wherein the latter isdivided into the upper and the lower skin; and wherein the of doublewebs between themselves and cutouts for air channels are produced by wayof welding.
 4. The adaptive pneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushionaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the cavities between the doublewebs can individually be supplied with said compressed air.
 5. Theadaptive pneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion according to claim1, wherein the cavities between the double webs can be selectivelygrouped together and be supplied with said compressed air.
 6. Theadaptive pneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion according to claim1, wherein the shell, the plurality of webs and cutouts for air channelsare formed from plastic.
 7. The adaptive pneumatic seat cushion andbackrest cushion according to claim 1, wherein the shell, the pluralityof webs and cutouts for air channels are formed from a plastics-coatedtextile material.
 8. The adaptive pneumatic seat cushion and backrestcushion according to claim 1, wherein said seat cushion and saidbackrest cushion can be attached to a seat structure by way ofadherence-type closures which are attached to the seat structure and tothe seat cushion and backrest cushion by gluing.
 9. The adaptivepneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion according to claim 1,wherein: cutouts of said double web are designed such that said cutoutsare identical; wherein said cutouts are directly adjacent to each otheralong a strip and are each connected to the upper skin and the lowerskin; and wherein narrow sides of said double webs are interconnectedalong said strip such that the cavity between the double webs is closedoff by a plurality of connections along the strips.
 10. The adaptivepneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion according to claim 9,wherein at least on one end, a plurality of strips are cut to thecutouts for the double webs, wherein said plurality of strips areinterconnected by their borders, form air channels for filling thecavities with said compressed air.
 11. The adaptive pneumatic seatcushion and backrest cushion according to claim 10, wherein spreaderelements are inserted into the air channels, wherein said spreaderelements prevent the air channels from becoming closed off due tokinking.
 12. The adaptive pneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushionaccording to claim 1, wherein: the double webs further include a firstweb and a second web; wherein the first web is connected to the secondweb along two strips, wherein a width of said first web is narrower thana width of the second web by an amount which corresponds to a width ofsaid two strips; wherein the second web is connected both to the upperskin and the lower skin of the shell along the two strips; and whereinnarrow sides of the double webs each are interconnected along a strip ofthe two strips so that the cavity (10) between the double webs is closedoff by a plurality of connections along the two strips.
 13. The adaptivepneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion according to claim 12,wherein the double webs are interconnected at least once more along saidtwo strips such that at least two cavities are formed.
 14. The adaptivepneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion according to claim 12,wherein in selected pairs of said double webs, two connecting positionsare provided across a longitudinal extension of said double webs,wherein said connecting positions extend along an entire height of thedouble webs defining two border zones each and a middle zone of thecavities, wherein the border zones are adapted to be filled with saidcompressed air, and the middle zone is closed off from any supply ofsaid compressed air.
 15. The adaptive pneumatic seat cushion andbackrest cushion according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said twoconnecting positions includes a welding position.
 16. The adaptivepneumatic seat cushion and backrest cushion according to claim 14,wherein at least one of said two connecting positions includes a gluingposition.